Location: Thunderbird Show Park
Date: February 6, 2016
1.0 The Meeting was Called to Order
It was established that there was a quorum according to the Bylaws. The meeting was called to order at 4:30 PM.
2.0 Attendance
Regrets: Monique Fraser, Alison Martin, Jeffie Pike, Cat Armitage
Attending: (Members) Noni Hartvikson, Virginia Allen, Ali Buchanan, Nancy Olson, Carolyn Dobbs, Doris Doudet
Attending: (Non Members) Nina Urff, Leslie Steele
3.0 Approval of the Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting
Resolution: To approve the Minutes of the 2014 AGM
Moved:Carolyn Dobbs
Seconded:Nancy Olson
The vote was unanimous: Carried
4.0 The Annual Report (attached) was given by Noni Hartvikson
Resolution: To accept the Annual Report as given
Moved:Ali Buchanan
Seconded:Nancy Olson
The vote was unanimous: Carried
5.0 The 2015 Year End Balance as of December 31, 2015 was $4,466.99. The detailed Profit/Loss Statement was not available at the meeting therefore approval of the accounts was deferred for approval at a later time.
6.0 Election of the 2016 Board of Directors
- to re-elect Noni Hartvikson as President
- to elect Alison Martin as Vice President
- to re-elect Jeffie Pike as Treasurer
- to re-elect Virginia Allen as Secretary
- to re-elect Cat Armitage as Director at Large and our rep to HCBC
Resolution: to elect the 2016 Board of Directors as stated
Moved:Nancy Olson
Seconded:Doris Doudet
The vote was unanimous: Carried
Discussion: A question was asked regarding how Directors are Nominated. The chair explained that with the exception of Monique Fraser, those already holding board positions at this time had agreed to stay on for 2016.
Of note for next year, Dressage BC's Bylaws must comply with the new Society's Act so our present Bylaws and Constitution must be changed at our next AGM. In this regard, we plan for the new Bylaws to set out the nominations process and specific terms for the board of directors. Doris Doudet expressed interest in a position.The positions of Zone reps was discussed. Ali Buchanan asked how this was done and it was explained that it is an appointed position. Zone reps names will be finalized shortly and posted to the website. We will be following the HCBC zone designations which have been changed.
7.0 Other Business
Nina Urff and Leslie Steele raised concerns of the BC Junior and Young Rider Program with regard to Dressage BC's board approved new Youth Education group. Vigorous discussion ensued. The issue of the need for a province wide education for youth in dressage was raised. After further discussion, Nina and Leslie were asked by the chair to be more specific about their request. They stated that they would like Dressage BC to refer the working group back to BCJYRP. The chair acknowledged their concerns and agreed to address their request.The chair also offered Dressage BC's help to promote BCJRYP events.
8.0 There being no further business, the chair adjourned the meeting at 5:30 PM.
*Addendum: At the time of the AGM, the chair was under the assumption that all who attended the meeting and signed the register were voting members of Dressage BC. Upon review of the official records, this was proven to be incorrect. Going forward, an AGM Procedure is in place to ensure that we properly follow our Bylaws wherein only Members are allowed to vote at meetings.
Dressage BC 2015
Annual Report
First of all, my thanks to all who have helped with the development phases of Dressage BC. By any measure, we are off and running with our programs!
With our membership numbers rising to over 500, Dressage BC has continued its development in 2015, primarily in the area of Financial Grants for education, an expanded Awards program as well as significant business discounts for members while working to further advance our mission.
Working with corporate sponsors and private financial donors, Dressage BC awarded 10 donor funded Education Grants totalling approximately $6000. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, we also provided 45 competition awards to riders throughout the province. We broadened our awards program in 2015 to include awards for coaches and volunteers. Three coaches and three volunteers went away with great prizes thanks to good sponsors.
We partnered with High Point Equestrian Centre and other sponsors to hold a Coaches Clinic with the very successful Canadian Olympian Christilot Boylen which also provided a great learning opportunity for coaches teaching our youth and amateur members as well as the many auditors who attended. We continue to provide support to our zones by providing club insurance for educational events.
For the first time since its inception, Dressage BC finished its Financial year ended December 31, 2015 in a good financial position. This was in part due to Membership fees, but also due to the private donation of unrestricted donations.
In 2015, we added fund raising to our Constitution. Going forward in 2016 it will be necessary to revise our Bylaws to meet the requirements of the new Society's Act. We will do this by developing new Bylaws that are legally required but we will also develop something that is more specific. For example, the new Bylaws will set out the nominations process for board members as well as the terms served.
Dressage BC is a member driven organization developed to promote and support dressage in the province. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions about our programs or how we can support your local group.
We wish you the best of luck in the 2016 competition season!
Dressage BC 2015 balance sheet
Dressage BC 2015 income statement